China lifted its COVID-19 pandemic ban on group tours to Japan on Thursday as well as 77 other countries, a move that¡¯s likely to provide a significant boost to Japan¡¯s tourism industry.

Thursday¡¯s decision came after China imposed a blanket test for radiation on all seafood products imported from Japan last month over Tokyo¡¯s plan to release tritium-laced treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, creating tension between the two countries.

¡°From now on, national travel agencies and online travel companies will resume operating outbound group tours and ¡®air ticket and hotel¡¯ business for Chinese citizens to relevant countries and regions,¡± China¡¯s Culture and Tourism Ministry said Thursday.